The Last Clockwinder

Last updated

The Last Clockwinder
The Last Clockwinder cover.jpg
Developer(s) Pontoco
Publisher(s) Cyan, Robot Teddy
Director(s) John Austin, Matt Blair
Composer(s) Joel Corelitz
Engine Unity
Platform(s)
Release
  • Microsoft Windows, Meta Quest
  • June 2, 2022
  • PlayStation 5
  • February 22, 2023
  • PICO 4, PICO Neo3 Link, PICO 4 Pro
  • June 15 2023
Genre(s) Adventure, puzzle
Mode(s) Single-player

The Last Clockwinder is a virtual reality puzzle-automation game developed by Pontoco and published by Cyan. In the game, players use motion controls to record their actions and create automatons that repeat those actions, allowing them to automate various tasks. The game was released on Microsoft Windows and Oculus Quest on June 2, 2022, and PlayStation 5 on February 22, 2023. [1]

Contents

Gameplay

Using the Clockwinder’s gloves, the player can record their own movements and actions in two, four, or eight-second intervals to create mechanical clones that will endlessly repeat the recorded actions on a loop. [2] The game consists of a series of rooms that must be progressively unlocked by spending different types of fictional fruit, which can be harvested on the ship. Instead of traveling from room to room, the player stays in a central chamber and uses a console to bring rooms into the chamber on an elevator-like mechanism. [3] Each room is a different type of puzzle requiring the player to create and coordinate several clones to grow plants and harvest enough resources to unlock a new room. The aim is often to optimize fruit production using the least number of clones. Over the course of the game, the player encounters a variety of plants that introduce new gameplay mechanics such as Luftapples - balloon-like fruit that float and bounce. [4] [5] The players have to clone themselves actively grabbing, throwing, and handling machinery to achieve the goal of the room. [6]

Plot

The player plays as Jules, a young woman who is tasked with restoring an ancient structure known as The Clocktower. The Clocktower serves as a sanctuary for a collection of plants from across the galaxy, which until recently had always been cared for by the tower's clockwinder. The tower has fallen into disrepair, beginning to sink into the water that surrounds it, and there is no sign of Edea, the previous clockwinder. With the help of Levi who monitors the tower and communicates via the radio, Jules sets off to save the tower. Jules uses a pair of clockwinder's gloves that allow her to create automatons by recording her own actions. These automatons, called gardeners, replicate her movements to tend to the plants, harvest resources, and repair the machinery. As the game progresses, the player works through not only Jules's complicated past with Edea but also uncovers the Clocktower's long lost functionality as a ship, ultimately taking off to begin the Clocktower's next chapter.

Development

The game was developed by Pontoco using the Unity Engine. Originally inspired by the Zachtronics programming games, the game underwent a year and a half of prototyping during which time the developers settled on the framework of loose puzzles that could be solved in any number of ways. The art style was somewhat inspired by Studio Ghibli and Mœbius. [7]

Reception

The Last Clockwinder was well received by critics, winning Quest Game of the Year in 2022. According to Metacritic, the game received “generally favorable” reviews on both PC and Playstation. [8] It was also named “PC VR Game of the Year” by Road to VR. [9]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryResultRef
2022Indiecade 2022 AwardsPerformance AwardNominated [10]
Best of Quest AwardsGame of the YearWon [11]
Best Narrative GameSelected
Road to VR’s Game of the Year AwardsPC VR Game of the YearWon [9]
Hardcore Gamer’s Game of the Year AwardsBest VR GameWon [12]
UploadVR Best of VR 2022Game of the Year 2022Nominated [13]
Favorite New Quest GameNominated
2023 New York Game Awards Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR GameNominated [14]
26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Immersive Reality Game of the Year Nominated [15]
Immersive Reality Technical Achievement Nominated
15th Unity AwardsBest AR/VR GameRunner-up [16]

Related Research Articles

<i>Puzzle Bobble</i> 1994 video game

Puzzle Bobble, internationally known as Bust-A-Move, is a 1994 tile-matching puzzle arcade game developed and published by Taito. It is based on the 1986 arcade game Bubble Bobble, featuring characters and themes from that game. Its characteristically cute Japanese animation and music, along with its play mechanics and level designs, made it successful as an arcade title and spawned several sequels and ports to home gaming systems.

<i>Tetris Effect</i> 2018 puzzle video game

Tetris Effect is a block-dropping arcade-styled puzzle video game developed by Japanese studios Monstars and Resonair and published by Enhance Games. The game was released worldwide exclusively for the PlayStation 4 on November 9, 2018, and features support for the PlayStation VR. A Microsoft Windows version, with support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, was released exclusively on the Epic Games Store on July 23, 2019. A version for the Meta Quest standalone VR headset was released on May 14, 2020.

nDreams Video game company

nDreams is a company that develops and publishes virtual reality video games. Based in Farnborough, Hampshire, UK, it was formed in August 2006 by former SCi and Eidos creative director, Patrick O'Luanaigh.

<i>Five Nights at Freddys: Help Wanted</i> 2019 video game

Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted is a 2019 virtual reality (VR) survival horror video game developed by Steel Wool Studios and Scott Cawthon. It is an anthology of different minigames based on the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise, where the player must complete tasks without being jumpscared by homicidal animatronic characters. The minigames include VR adaptations of the main entries in the series and several new experiences. Hidden inside the levels are coins that unlock collectable objects and cassette tapes that provide insight into the game's metafictional plot.

<i>The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners</i> 2020 video game

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a virtual reality first-person shooter survival horror game for Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2, and Oculus Rift, developed by Skydance Interactive in partnership with Skybound Entertainment. It is based on the comic book series The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman. Initially released on Steam and Oculus platform on January 23, 2020, it was released on PlayStation VR in May 2020. Additionally, the title was ported to Oculus Quest in October 2020, alongside PICO 4 in January 2023.

<i>Asgards Wrath</i> 2019 video game

Asgard's Wrath is a 2019 action role-playing game developed by Sanzaru Games and published by Oculus Studios for the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. In the game, the player assumes control of a Norse god who must guide several mortal heroes to fulfill their destinies. The game received generally positive reviews. Asgard's Wrath 2 was released on the Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3 in 2023.

<i>Umurangi Generation</i> 2020 video game

Umurangi Generation is a first-person photography simulation video game developed by Origame Digital and released for Microsoft Windows in May 2020. Ports for Nintendo Switch and Xbox One followed in June 2021 and May 2022, respectively. Versions for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 released in April 2024, alongside a virtual reality version for the PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest platforms.

<i>Among Us VR</i> 2022 video game

Among Us VR is a social deduction video game developed by Schell Games, Innersloth, and Robot Teddy. The game is a virtual reality version of Among Us. It was published by Innersloth in November 2022 for Quest 2 and Windows via several SteamVR-supported headsets. A PlayStation 5 version via the PlayStation VR2 was released in December 2023.

<i>Tentacular</i> (video game) Virtual reality video game

Tentacular is a virtual reality game developed by Firepunchd Games and published by Devolver Digital. The game was released for Microsoft Windows via Meta Quest 2 and SteamVR on March 24, 2022, and released as a launch title for PlayStation VR2 on February 22, 2023.

<i>Moss: Book II</i> 2022 video game

Moss: Book II is a 2022 virtual reality adventure game developed and published by American video game development studio Polyarc. A sequel to Moss, the game follows Quill as she ventures though the land to battle the arcane to save the land of Moss. Moss: Book II was released in March 2022 for PlayStation 4 via PlayStation VR before receiving Meta Quest 2 and Windows ports later that year. A PlayStation 5 version via PlayStation VR2 was released in February 2023.

<i>Horizon Call of the Mountain</i> 2023 video game

Horizon Call of the Mountain is a 2023 action-adventure video game developed by Guerrilla Games and Firesprite, and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 5. Part of the Horizon series, the game was released as a launch title for the PlayStation VR2 virtual reality headset on 22 February 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PlayStation VR2</span> Virtual reality headset developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment

The PlayStation VR2 is a virtual reality headset for the PlayStation 5 and PC, developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment released on February 22, 2023.

<i>The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution</i> 2022 video game

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution is a virtual reality first-person shooter survival horror game for SteamVR, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest 2. Developed by Skydance Interactive in partnership with Skybound Entertainment, it is a sequel to The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners and based on the comic book series The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman. The game was released in December 2022 for the Meta Quest 2 and PICO 4, and released for PlayStation VR2 and Steam in March 2023.

<i>The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR</i> 2023 video game

The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR is a rail shooter video game developed and published by Supermassive Games for the PlayStation VR2. It was released on 16 March 2023. It is a spin-off of The Dark Pictures Anthology and features the player riding a horror-themed roller coaster.

<i>Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord</i> 2023 video game

Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord is a 2023 virtual reality video game based on the Ghostbusters franchise developed by nDreams and published by Sony Pictures Virtual Reality for the Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro and the PlayStation VR2.

<i>Arashi: Castles of Sin</i> 2021 virtual reality stealth game

Arashi: Castles of Sin is a virtual reality stealth action-adventure game for PlayStation VR on PlayStation 4, developed by Endeavor One and published by Prep Games. A Final Cut version was co-developed with Skydance Interactive and released on December 5, 2023, on next-generation virtual reality consoles.

<i>Asgards Wrath 2</i> 2023 video game

Asgard's Wrath 2 is an action role-playing game developed by Sanzaru Games and published by Oculus Studios for the Meta Quest series of virtual reality headsets. It is the sequel to Asgard's Wrath (2019). The game was released worldwide in December 2023 and was included for free as a launch game for the Meta Quest 3.

<i>Arizona Sunshine 2</i> 2023 video game

Arizona Sunshine 2 is a 2023 first-person shooter video game developed and published by Vertigo Games. A sequel to Arizona Sunshine (2016), the game was released for virtual reality devices such as Meta Quest headsets, PlayStation VR2, SteamVR and Pico 4 in December 2023.

References

  1. ↑ The Last Clockwinder - Official PS VR2 Announcement Trailer - IGN. January 19, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2024– via www.ign.com.
  2. ↑ Tailby, Stephen (March 11, 2023). "Review: The Last Clockwinder (PSVR2) - A Satisfying, Chilled Out Puzzler". Push Square . Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  3. ↑ Stanichar, Joseph (June 17, 2022). "The Last Clockwinder Takes You Home to an Automated Zen Garden". Paste Magazine . Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  4. ↑ "The Last Clockwinder: la recensione del miglior puzzle per PS VR2". Multiplayer.it (in Italian). Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  5. ↑ Hamish Hector (February 19, 2023). "The VR games and apps I've been playing in February 2023". TechRadar. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  6. ↑ Goh, Clement (February 28, 2023). "The Last Clockwinder (PSVR 2) Review - CGMagazine" . Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Best of Quest 2022: Designing 'The Last Clockwinder' and its Time Looping Puzzles | Meta Quest Blog". www.meta.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  8. ↑ "The Last Clockwinder". Metacritic . Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  9. 1 2 VR, Road to (December 19, 2022). "Road to VR's 2022 Game of the Year Awards". Road to VR. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Festival 2022 Nominees – IndieCade".
  11. ↑ "Best of Quest 2022: A Look Back at the Year's Top VR Games + Apps | Meta Quest Blog". www.meta.com. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  12. ↑ Staff, H. G. (December 19, 2022). "Hardcore Gamer's Game of the Year Awards 2022". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  13. ↑ "UploadVR's Best of VR 2022 – Game Of The Year & More". UploadVR. December 21, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  14. ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (January 18, 2023). "New York Game Awards 2023: Elden Ring Wins Two Awards as Phil Spencer Is Honored". IGN . Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  15. ↑ "26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists". www.interactive.org. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  16. ↑ "The Unity Awards | Film, Video Games, and Industry". Unity. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.